After the Storm: Using a Rational Approach to Assess Wind and Storm-Related Property Damage

Wind events like hurricanes, derechos, and tornados often cause significant property damage and sometimes structural failure -- effects that are clear to any observer. However, the significance, extent, and root cause of certain less-than-catastrophic damages are typically less obvious. This can lead to contentious disagreement among interested parties. 

In this webinar, WJE structural engineers Joshua Boggs, Matthew Fadden, and Christopher Lipp provide an overview of the effects of different types of wind events on structures. In addition, they discuss how engineers and insurance professionals define "damage" for various building components and how engineering-based assessments can be used to develop impartial opinions on cause and extent of damage. 

By the end of the presentation, you will be able to:

• Explain how various types of wind-related events affect structures,
• Describe common types of wind-related issues for which forensic engineering may be utilized to solve a problem or resolve a dispute, 
• Summarize how technology can be utilized to collect and present results of damage assessments efficiently, and 
• Distinguish between sound engineering-based approaches to developing opinions on cause and extent of damage and unsound methods disguised with pseudo-engineering.

more to learn

View this webinar in our interactive audience console to access related resources, submit questions to the presenters, and download a certificate of completion.